LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The interests of the trade can not be better served, than by a full discussion by its members of all questions which affect it. Our columns are always open to communications on any such subject, provided they be brief and suggestive, and we cordially invite the trade to express any suggestions or opinions of interest or value in "Letters to the Editor." The Trade Sale. TOLEDO, O., March 23, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: To us the continuance of the Trade Sale is the worst feature of all, and will do more to hinder the progress of the reform than any thing which has yet occurred. It puts into a more distant future what we had hoped was nearly at our door. It is useless for us to try to hold to the 20 per cent rule when we see our trade going to parties for whom it has no significance, and who are thus enabled, for another year at least, to fill orders at their own cut-throat prices. The trade of this place has seen orders amounting to some thousands of dollars go elsewhere because we would not give from 35 to 40 per cent off, and cases free. We shut our teeth and let it go last year, trusting that the ability of the party to supply the live new books would soon be lost to them, and now the Trade Sale is to give them a new stock, and the 20 per cent houses furnish the books for it. We much question whether the Committee on Book Fair have been either wise or faithful, and they certainly need to make their record clear. Ours is not an isolated case by any means. There are plenty of such instances, and can you be surprised at our astonishment that men who have loudly talked the 20 per cent rule should permit and encourage it, even though under the announcement that it is to be for just once? We had hoped there would be no more of it, but, as we must have it again, we shall hold to our ground and hope for a "good time coming." Yours, BROWN & FAUNCE. [Part of the above letter is omitted, as it was mislaid until the question discussed was superseded by others.] The New Basis. SALEM, O., March 30, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: I am greatly pleased with the proposition of Messrs. Lippincott & Co. It is just the thing as near as may be at present. The correct rule of business is to sell books to all persons and classes at exactly the same prices; and the fewer the exceptions, the less trouble there will be amongst the trade. Discounts to buyers outside the trade should be for quantity only, and not to privileged classes. It now begins to look as though retail booksel. lers may be able to make an honorable living by their profession. Yours truly, J. MCMILLAN. WILMINGTON, DEL., April 2, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: We had thought not to encroach on your limited and valuable space soon again, but your requesting views of the trade on the recent platform offered by the Philadelphia house prompts us to express our gratification at the prospect of so speedy an ending to the dark days of the book trade. All honor to our good friends Messrs. J. B. Lippincott & Co.! They were the last house required to complete the reform, and having joined hands with the trade, they have the influence, not only to complete, but to secure the faithful working and thorough success of the movement. As to the long-suffering justice of the measure, there can be no question; the only controversy can be on the platform and details; and Messrs. J. B. Lippincott & Co., although holding back so long, deserve high credit for meeting the issue so squarely at last, and going beyond, not what was desired, but what was asked for at present. The retail trade ask no better platform than the one promulgated in their letter of March 23d, namely: "To resume at once to sell all books at the published retail prices, with no discount to any one outside the trade, except a maximum one of 20 per cent to libraries, school-teachers, and any other person buying $100 worth net at one time." This cuts out special classes of books and privileged buyers, and rids the code of all those "exceptions" which would create continual misunderstanding. These regulations, with their plan of rating imported books, and especially school-books, make a clear, compact, intelligent, and honorable platform, on which we think the whole trade can mutually stand. We have always favored the reform being settled in a more radical way than was proposed by the Book-Trade Convention, but accepted their proposition with its many imperfections as a start in the right direction, hoping that improvement would follow. J. B. Lippincott & Co. which is certainly the Now, as a proposition is submitted by Messrs. most practicable that has been offered, let the conventions, speaking for the trade, accept the terms at once, and set an early day to open the reform, which, if intelligently managed and honorably enforced, will open to the book trade a new era which we predict will be brighter than any in the past, and a thorough indorsement of the wisdom of this movement for the future. Very truly yours, BOUGHMAN, THOMAS & CO. BUSINESS CHANGES. BRIDGEPORT, CT. Mr. E. A. Lewis and Mr. Frank Slason have formed a partnership, the firm to be known as E. A. Lewis & Co., booksellers and stationers. Mr. Slason has been in the employ of Mr. Lewis for thirteen years. NASHVILLE, TENN.-Tavel, Eastman & Howell have disposed of their city school and entire miscellaneous book business to A. Setliff, 108 Church street. SWANTON, VT.-Mr. Brundage, bookseller and stationer, has been succeeded by S. A. Adams, formerly with James Campbell, of Bos ton. AGENT WANTED, W WA HELP WANTED. WA SITUATIONS WANTED. ANTED-A situation in Wholesale Book or Stationery Business. Thoroughly acquainted with the trade in all its branches; no objection to travel on short journeys; moderate salary. Address H., care O. Dunham, Esq., the American News Co., New-York City. WANTED-A and pleasant manners, in a Stationery, Theological and Sunday-School Bookstore, in a large Western city. One preferred who can speak German as well as English. Address with terms, references, and denominational connection. permanent situation will be offered. Address M. STRONG, care Biglow & Main, Publishers, Station D, New-York. young man or, lady of experience, culture, A YOUNG man, thoroughly posted in the Book and Station BOOKS WANTED D. VAN NOSTRAND, 23 MURRAY STREET, NEW-YORK. Two copies of Publishers' Trade Lists. A Proceedings American Philosophical Society, a set or odd vol ery Business, desires to make arrangements with a NewYork house to travel in the East; has had ten years' experience, two years as traveling salesman. Can furnish the most satisfactory references. Address TRAVELER, care Noyes, Holmes & Co., Boston. BY Publishing and Bookselling Business in this city. De Y a young married man, of many years' experience in the sires an immediate engagement. Reference, last employers. Address SALESMAN, Publishers' Weekly office. BY a young man of fifteen years' experience in the Whole sale Retail Trade of this city, as general clerk or salesman. References first-class. Address T. L. N., Publishers' Weekly Office. ANALYTICAL THERAPEUTICS, BY C. HERING. Vol. I. No. 25 Bond Street Some prescriptions of rare and proved effects."-ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Act I., Scene III., 227. 1875. Large royal octavo. BOERICKE & TAFEL, 145 Grand Street, New-York. This important work, from the pen of the Nestor of Homoeopathic Physicians, contains the fruits of his immense experience and ripe judgment, up to date. It is the initial volume of a grand work, and treats-I., of "Ailments from Emotions and Exertion of the Mind," and II., of "Mental Concomitants of Bodily Symptoms." The work is written in the same manner and style as the "Typhoid Fever, Angina Pectoris, and Panaritium," (price 6oc.,) which was published in quarto form about a year ago, as a specimen. Many physicians, suggesting a smaller sized page, making a handier volume, the illustrious author selected a royal octavo. The work is brought out regardless of expense, and is superbly printed on extra heavy paper. Each volume, being fully indexed, is complete in itself. Price, bound in cloth, $4; half morocco or full sheep, $5. May be ordered through any bookseller, or from the publishers direct. Address BOERICKE & TAFEL, 145 Grand Street, New-York. JOSEPH GILLOTT'S Celebrated Steel Pens. Sold by all Dealers throughout the World. Of a Journey up the Nile, through the Soudan, to the confines of Central Africa, embracing an Examination of the Slave Trade, and a discussion of the problem of the Sources of the Nile. By ALVAN S. SOUTHWORTH, Secretary of the American Geographical Society. This volume will describe the Social and Political condition of Egypt, Adventures of Nile Travel, Life on the Desert, Journeys in Central Africa, besides Industrial and Agricultural Enter prises in the Soudan and Abyssinia. BAKER, PRATT & CO., Publishers, 142 and 144 GRAND STREET, NEW-YORK. The most desirable Game for the Lawn, as it requires but little does not necessitate a perfectly level sward, as in croquet. JUST PUBLISHED. space, and The Third Edition of Selections from the Poets, Comprising Two Hundred and Thirty-four carefully selected Poems, from the best known authors. 12mo, cloth, black and gold. Price, $1.50. CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 624, 626, and 628 Market St., Philadelphia. GOSPEL SONGS, A Song-Setting of Gospel Truths, For Revivals, Praise Meetings, and Sunday-Schools. It is offered as being the Most Powerful set of Songs for Revivals and Praise Meetings ever published. As will be noticed, it contains Songs that have acquired a world-wide popularity and influence. Beside these, will be found many New and Equally Good Songs and Hymns for the Sunday-School, by this most popular author. An examination will convince any one interested that "Gospel Songs" is a work of more than ordinary merit. Price 35 cents; $3.60 per dozen. Specimen copy for examination mailed, post-paid, on receipt of 30 cents. JOHN CHURCH & CO., Cincinnati, Ohio. "The Best and Cheapest Sunday-School Library." The Semi-Centennial Grand Cheap Library For the School and Home. 50 Choice Illustrated Volumes, 16mo, bound in Muslin, and not in any other Select Library. Only Twenty-six Dollars. This Library contains over 12,000 printed pages, illustrated by 212 large full-page, fine engravings, and many of the smaller size. All the volumes in this Library are valuable and instructive. They have been carefully read, examined and approved by the Committee for Sunday-schools and family reading. The books are printed on good, clear paper, and strongly bound in muslin, with gilt stamps. The price of the Library $26.00. SOLD ONLY IN SETS. Books of the size of these in this Library are usually sold at from $1.00 to $1.25 each. Nothing like this Library has been offered for such a small sum. Catalogues with full descriptions of the books furnished on application. PUBLISHED BY THE American Sunday-School Union, No. 1122 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.-ALEX. KIRKPATRICK. Electrotypes of 50000 Stiel and Wood Engravings for sale Proofs are in the possession of the undersigned, at their office 130 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Gebbie & Barrie ENVELOPES At Wholesale. The subscribers beg leave to inform the Paper and Stationery trade that they are largely in the Envelope manufacturing business-having machinery for making one million per day and of every variety and style, from the smallest Drug to the largest Official size, all well made and gummed, and sold at lowest possible prices. New Price-List just issued, and sent with samples by mail when requested. SAMUEL RAYNOR & CO., 116 & 117 William St., N. Y. NEW PUBLICATIONS. Historical Collections of Louisiana and Florida. SECOND SERIES. By COL. B. F. FRENCH. One vol. 8vo. Price, $4. This book contains much important matter, concerning the Discovery and Early Settlement of these two Colonies, which has never before appeared in print-the author having translated many of the original and official reports of the Discoverers and Founders of the two States. ZSCHOKKE'S HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND. New edition. I vol., 12mo. Price, $1.75. A FREE LANCE IN THE FIELD OF LIFE AND LETTERS. BY PROF. W. C. WILKINSON. I vol., 12mo. Price, $1.50. "A series of more pungent and exhaustive, as well as generally discriminating criticisms of literary works and their authors, it would be difficult to find."-Chicago Times. LORD MACAULAY'S WORKS. Complete in eight volumes. Students' edition. Cloth, $16; Library Sheep, $20. ALBERT MASON, Publisher, 13 Astor Place, New-York. |